Annotations by Life Master Bob Jacobs

Winning is obviously more fun than losing but as I get more mature (read
that as older) I find that some losses can be fun too, if the game is
exciting and each player makes some good moves.  The following game was
played last November; both Jim Davies and I got off some fine shots.
When I tried to win a probable draw, he got off the last good shot and
it ended the game.

Jim Davies - Bob Jacobs    
1997 Missouri Invitational
Opening: Ruy Lopez

1. e4                e5
2. Nf3               Nc6
3. Bb5               Nf6
4. d3                Bd6

Not book but after White's passive 4th move, why not?  In this type Ruy,
Black's dark square bishop often comes back to f8 and g7, so let it
defend the e pawn in the meantime.

5. Nbd2              a6
6. Ba4               b5
7. Bb3               Na5
8. c4                Nxb3
9. Qxb3              0-0
10.cxb               Rb8
11.a4                axb
12.Nc4               bxc!
13.Qxb8              cxd
14.Qb5               Nxe4
15.Qxd3              Nc5
16.Qf5               Ba6
17.Ng5               Bd3
18.Qh3               f6
19.b4                fxg5
20.bxc5              e4
21.cxd6              Qf6
22.Ra2               Qc3+
23.Bd2               Qc4
24.Qxd7

Ra1 or b2 is met with Qd4 and Ra3 fails to Qc5.

.....................Qxa2
25.Qxc7              Rxf2

A flashy move but perhaps good enough only to draw.  
The win is there via 25......Bc4!

26.Qc8+              Rf8
27.d7

Threatening Qxf8.

.....................Qa1+
28.Bc1               Qd4
29.Bxg5              Qb4+
30.Bd2               Qb1+
31.Bc1               Qb6
32.Bg5               Qa4+

Trying to win a draw is about to prove disastrous.

33.Bd2               Qf4
34.Qxf8!             Qxf8
35.Ba5

At this point I was too stunned to resign, but Jim had no difficulty

finishing up.  1-0



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© 1998-2003 by Jim Voelker.
This page was last updated on January 20, 2003.
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